Thursday, September 2, 2010

A few thoughts on the humdrum 19-3 beating Pittsburgh just laid upon the Carolina Panthers in both teams' final preseason game. I watched this one on TV -- Tom Sorensen and I split the road games as The Observer's two sports columnists, and thankfully this one was all his.

The bad:

1. So the Panthers' offense goes 0-for-the-preseason on offensive drives that led to touchdowns. I gave up counting after the number reached 50, but it was bad. I know, I know -- no No.28 and no No.89 in all the fake games, and in this one the Panthers played with their third- and fourth-string quarterbacks only. But still. The Panthers' offense this preseason was absolutely pathetic, which is why the team finished 1-3 in exhibition games despite generally great play from the defense.

2. Could the Panthers maybe -- just maybe -- complete a pass deep downfield to a wide receiver more than about once every 10 days? Is that asking too much?

3. The third bad thing is that there is such a thing as a fourth NFL exhibition at all. It's ridiculous. As I've been writing for years, I'm all for the 18-2 split instead of the current 16-4, where a team plays 18 regular-season games and only two preseason ones (the NFL commish wants to make the 18-2 split happen by 2012 season). Because this last game -- it's painful to sit through, especially for people who have actually paid to do so. Pay the players a little more and have them play 18 games; it's the right thing to do.

The good:

1. Although it wasn't particularly effective, it was nice to see Armanti Edwards in the Panthers' version of the "Wildcat" formation (the "Mountaineer"). He made a couple of sweet, albeit short, throws out of it, and he also had a pretty good punt return and a nice pickup on a fourth-down reception. Armanti has to have restored a little confidence with that one.

2. John Fox deciding to basically have his starters take the night off. I'm totally with him there. Fox doesn't care about preseason game No.4 except as a way to maybe determine roster spots 50-53 and doesn't want anybody to get hurt. I don't agree with a number of things Fox does, but he's completely right about that one.

And now let us all say hallelujah, for the preseason is over and we do not have to watch any more fake games for a very long time.

16 comments:

Cobrabitn
said...

I'm torn about the 18/2 game scenario because it will only cause more wear and tear on the players and probably shorten their careers. However, I think a good compromise would be 17/3 where the third preseason game is like the fourth one that we just had. it will almost always have a definitive first place winner since there are 17 games (Not guaranteed though)

Yes, I am saddened by the lackluster offense but I think with a little more seat time, we'll be back in the groove again. We have a lot of talent, we just have to channel it on the field.

I was a huge Jake fan, but it was time for him and the Panthers to part ways.

The only solace I can find with how pathetic the offense has looked is the 2007 season. The O stunk in the preseason then too, but once the season started they started clicking. Unfortunately, Jake's elbow gave out and the season went down the tubes, but at least it gives a glimmer of hope for this coming year.

I'm with Anon 11:51 - 16 regular season games/ 2 exhibition games. Then spread the 16 regular season games over 18 weeks so that every team gets an extra bye. Then add 2 teams to the playoffs and only give the #1 seeds a bye. More real games on TV = more revenue.

Even the starting O-line didn't play and a lot of the Steelers ones were out there. I don't understand how someone who watches football for a living can't figure out that the last 4 weeks have been one long tryout for WRs. O-lineman and the dearth of RBs we have. No game plan. Starters sitting while players that won't make the team play.

I'll be glad to roast the ones on a spit of they fail to produce when it counts, and when they are actually playing, but at this point it's just silly to do so.

I don't mind 4 preseason games but to be forced to pay $97 (as a season ticket holder) per ticket is ludicrous! I don't see them EVER dropping the ticket price for preseason games so 18/2 seems like the best option.

Go to an 18/2 schedule. Bump the roster to at least 58 players to limit wear and tear. Finally, play all pre-season games at neutral sites. This will reduce a burden on season ticket holders and expand markets.

Tired of all the "18 games will take too big a toll...blah blah blah..." To believe this you're assuming that the coaches won't properly adjust their rotations, and that the GMs won't account for this in building their rosters. An 18-game schedule will truly reward the deepest teams and the most intelligent coaches (those that wisely manage their substitution patterns).

ovestioI don't like the 18/2 proposal but could see a 16/2 schedule with the 2 preseason games being split over the 4 weeks so each team has the same amout of practice time. Lower pre-season ticket prices to 1/2 price.

It's been said a good definition of insanity is repeating a failed behavior over and over, expecting a different result. A perfect description of both the Panther's offense (play calling & coordinator) and those defending the same each year at this time. What evidence, based on personnel moves or the lack thereof, can one point to as proof the Panther organization desires excellence? Just like offensive touchdowns this year -- zero!

I'm torn about the 18/2 game scenario because it will only cause more wear and tear on the players and probably shorten their careers. However, I think a good compromise would be 17/3 where the third preseason game is like the fourth one that we just had.

I like this, but play one of the 3 preseason games at a neutral site and have the teams split the revenue. Several games could be played in LA, Cardinals vs Raiders, Rams vs Chargers. Carolina vs Tennessee in Blacksburg at VT, Atlanta vs Jacksonville at Tallahassee, a few games overseas to expand the market, a few games in Canada and Mexico. Owners would take a small hit from the split, but expand the marketing for merchandise throughout the country and worldwide.

Yeah the only reason they're pushing the 18-2 season in 2012 is in case of a lockout/no season in 2011 so the owners can recoup their losses because less and less people are willing to pay full boat for attending preseason games. Ah for the days when I was young and the Washington Redskins came to Charlotte to play preseason games in Memorial Stadium. That's what the NFL should do - cut the price and give small town America the chance to go to an NFL game!!.